Sunday, May 10, 2009

WWII Caramel Refrigerator Cookies

I fumble around for a light switch as I walk softly in my skull printed Vans into the dark, cool reception room of a VFW Lodge. I find one, and suddenly spots of light float about the still dark room. Was this place alive once? It must have been, as old pictures of numerous past commanders run along the walls.

These men were once young, and grow older in visual records as time races forward. Fewer new faces come, and most of the old ones are gone now, giving the wispy ghost-like darkness a haunted feeling. I trail down the wall to the 1940s, my favorite era in time.

Young men, and many just home from the war, but I want to slide back just a bit further than these old photographs. I want to visit the time when these men were off fighting in foreign countries, and their wives, girlfriends, mothers, grandmothers, sisters and neighbors were taking responsibility for daily living. They did all this, all the while worrying about how they were going to make it, and how and if their loved ones would return home. Between newly acquired production line jobs and food rationing, women had to simplify their baking. Everyone was united in this war effort, either begrudgingly or wholeheartedly, but united nonetheless.

During this time, “Betty Crocker” printed a recipe for Caramel Refrigerator Cookies, which soon became an American favorite. These cookies were easy enough, stored quite well in the refrigerator until you needed them, and used brown sugar instead of precious rationed granulated sugar. They were also straightforward and not too sweet. Just the way I like my cookies.

I am in awe of the women who made it through this difficult time. They truly lived, good and bad, for better and worse. And after, they coped, celebrated, and had children. They moved forward, promoted service and veterans organizations, and changed the world. What an amazing time to be alive.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Caramel Refrigerator Cookies
½ cup shortening. (part butter or shortening)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 ¾ cups Gold Medal Flour
½ teaspoon soda
¼ teaspoon salt

Mix shortening, sugar, egg, and vanilla thoroughly. Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. Stir flour, soda, and salt together; stir in. Form in roll 2 ½” across. Wrap in wax paper. Chill until firm.

Heat oven to 400° (mod. hot). Cut in 1/8th” slices. Place slices a little apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 min., or until lightly browned. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.


My Notes
1. Lay a piece of wax paper on top of the cookies and place a piece of bread on the paper. This will keep the cookies fresh longer.

2. I doubled the recipe, and used half shortening and half unsalted butter.

3. I changed the vanilla to 1 Tablespoon for the double batch.

4. I froze the cookie logs for easier slicing.

5. I baked the cookies on parchment paper lined cookie sheets.

6. Soda in this recipe means baking soda.


Recipe in its original form from “Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book”. Write-up and pictures by Laura Flowers.


26 comments:

Ginger said...

Laura,

Great blog! Loved the "little" history lesson. I have been looking at some books about this era but I promised myself no more books until I finish the ones that I have. I have heard of this recipe and happy to come across it via you!! I love the cookie jar. Where did you get that? Have a great day.

The Cooking Photographer said...

Hi Ginger,

I got them at my local kitchen store, but they should be easy to find online. They're Montana Jars made by Anchor Hocking.

Laura

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a wonderful post. It's amazing what these women were able to do with so many ingredients rationed or unavailable. This is another of their eggless wonders. Happy Mother's Day, Laura. I hope your "lighting man" has big hugs for you today.

Dewi said...

What a beautiful looking cookies!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Thank-you Mary and Elra.

Alison said...

your cookies look beautiful.

The Victory Network said...

Laura, what a great-looking blog. I linked to your recipe and site from my blog:

http://ww2tips.blogspot.com

which is about applying savings and budgeting tips learned in the War, Victory Gardens, for example to today's precarious times. Keep up the good work!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Thank-you, I appreciate that a lot.

Deeba PAB said...

Precious...the cookies, the jar & the write-up. WOW. I got here via Ginger, & am glad I did! Bow to you; your photographs are fab. I have a lot to learn!

Marta said...

I really like your post Laura, I can tell it comes from your heart and the story touches mine too :)
I believe some of the gratest inventions, culianry and otherwise, have been born during times of hardship, I guess humans inherently are more creative under pressure!
These cookies look great, I love your photos too. You really gave them an austere look!

The Messy Baker said...

Refrigerator cookies are great. I haven't seen one for a caramel version before and will have to give these a try.

Great photos, too!

Christine said...

These sound delicious and the pictures look great!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

These must be yummy if they have caramel included in the title. I love that you included additional photos! Great bread tip too - moisture transfer can definitely be a good thing.

Sherri Murphy said...

ENJOYED THE LESSON IN HISTORY AND I AGREE WITH YOUR APPRECIATION OF THE WOMEN OF THAT TIME. BRAVE , STRONG LADIES TO BE SURE!

Michele said...

I posted my Grandmothers refrigerator cookies a while back. They are still my absolute favorite from my childhood. :) I couldn't agree more with freezing the cookie logs for easier slicing. Makes the whole job much easier.
I stopped by to tell you that you've won the sample box over at Funky Chunks. Just e-mail me and give me you address so that we can send you Chunks to you! :) Congrats!

Selba said...

It looks so yummy!

Creative Classroom Core said...

These look fantastic. What a cool recipe! Love it!

Unknown said...

I shared your post for my mother who was a teenager in WW2 not knowing at the time she would marry a WW2 vet. It opened up so many stories about her experience during that time. She told me some of the coolest stories I ever heard. Thanks for opening that up for us! I don't know if they would of ever come up without your post. My father past away in an accident 18 years ago but, when she told me her memories of him it was like he was here. She told me it was her favorite mothers day ever. Thanks!!!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Jenny I am so grateful you came back and told me. I have tears in my eyes right now.

Thank-you.

Laura

Anonymous said...

Love your photography, comments and recipes--excellent work. My daughter, Caren, suggested this site...love it! Edie

The Cooking Photographer said...

Thank-you Edie!

Gale said...

I linked your blog in my post. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
http://bakingpictures.blogspot.com/2009/06/almost-vanilla-wafer-but-not.html

Amelia PS said...

i LOVE LOVE LOVE your jar photo

Jaclyn K said...

I just made these cooking this morning. They are so easy and they taste great. This for sure will be a recipe that I use over and over again.

The Cooking Photographer said...

Jaclyn thank-you for making these and for letting me know. I'm glad you liked this old recipe. They aren't too fancy, but still a special cookie.

Laura

sheila said...

I have been looking all over for this recipe I lost mine that I had from my 8th grade cooking class I'm so glad I found this love these cookies

Related Posts with Thumbnails